And for the others, Here's Part 15. I am very sorry about the delay today...This update was difficult to write. And it is quite long.
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[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n5gW5Olp88[/YOUTUBE]
'What am I doing to her?' he thought as he watched an innocent looking Khushi curled up in bed. He felt uneasy. It was not going to be an easy night, he knew. He could do with some fresh air, he decided as he walked out of the room towards the back door. It was quite late at night and he was sure everyone was asleep. He carefully closed the door behind him, and sat down on the stairs, under the star filled sky. Why was this all turning to be so complicated? he thought. The conversation he had overheard kept flashing in his head. What am I doing to her? He cursed under his breath.
He had stayed away from Lucknow for years...This was the city that had given him and his family so much pain. He had often feared visiting Lucknow as he was scared of the demons...he hated his uncle to say the least...but he was scared of the memories this city would bring him...of pain, hurt and betrayal. He had left the city as a young boy swearing that he would never return again. And here he was sitting on the footsteps of a house in the very same city where he had now spent more than a week, Arnav realised.
Strangely over the last week, he had felt none of those feelings he had long dreaded. He had kept himself very busy at work, and that perhaps helped. Arnav knew deep down that the biggest factor that made a difference was Khushi and her family. Their warmth and kindness had made it easy for him not to remember anything. They were likely to have known his past...after all his mom was good friends with Khushi's mom. And yet no one had asked him anything.
However tonight, he felt uneasy...and he knew this feeling had nothing to do with his past. Why was it all turning to be so complicated? he asked himself again as he closed his eyes.
What he had heard today bothered him a lot. He instantly knew at that moment that he had wronged Khushi...And that thought bothered him like never before.
'Am I being fair to her?' he asked himself. Things had become complicated...the moment she had refused his deal...refused his money...he had spent many nights thinking about this but had been unable to figure out . From every angle he looked, she didn't seem to gain anything from this marriage. By now it was also obvious that she wasn't interested in his money. She had even paid back all the hospital expenses he had initially taken care of. Even her family, despite going through difficult times had never sought any financial assistance from him. Instead they were showering him with kindness and affection.
Arnav felt a pang of guilt overcome him as he realised. He had shattered her dream of marriage...and yet there she was praising him.
'Why mom? Why have you put me in this position? You knew how I felt about marriage. You knew Khushi. Why did you wish for me to marry her? ' Arnav let the questions escape as he gazed at the sky.
As he recalled the conversation Khushi had with her mother not long ago... he felt numb...He had not expected to see her lie and that too in his favour...He knew it had something to do with not wanting to see her mother in pain...Arnav had sensed her pain as she spoke... He knew deep down that he was responsible for it.
He walked down the stairs to pace on the ground feeling a sense of discomfort building in him...'Should I let her go?' he wondered. 'Should I tell everyone the truth and let her free? She surely deserves better.'
As he thought further, he realised that perhaps that wouldn't be what she wanted. He recalled how Khushi had changed the deal...how she didn't want their break up to affect Payal's future.
Arnav knew their break up was inevitable. He was sure Khushi knew it too and most likely had come to terms with it. Now he would let her play the cards...he would let her go when she wants to...And when the day comes, he would tell their family the truth. He wouldn't let her face any one's wrath. Arnav was sure his own family would be shocked and angry at him when they come to know the truth...but he would make sure she wouldn't have to face any of it, he decided before returning back to the bed to lie next to her.
The next morning, Khushi hurried from one room to the other in an attempt to get ready. Arnav sat at the living room with his laptop checking his emails. Work was underway with their project and the paperwork had been submitted for approval. Arnav glanced up as Khushi finally dashed out of the house shouting something about being late and Preethi waiting for her, to Buaji and whoever cared to listen.
'Why hasn't Aman emailed me the accounts yet?' Arnav thought as he refreshed his email another time. He had planned to check them today as he didn't have much else to do. The internet connection wasn't good enough for videoconferencing at home, so Arnav had given up on that. He spent some time browsing the news before he got bored and got up to go into his room. Just then he noticed, Payal was about to leave somewhere with Babuji in tow.
"Payal, where are you guys going? Arnav enquired.
"Woh Arnavji, Babuji has his doctor's appointment today. After that, he has rehab classes too. So, I am taking him for those" She replied smiling. He was a complete opposite to Khushi, Payal observed. Khushi could talk non stop and Arnavji hardly spoke, She smiled at the thought.
"I will also join you guys. Give me 5 minutes" he said to a surprised Payal, as he walked to the bedroom to quickly change.
At the hospital, Arnav met the doctor who examined Shashi and also looked at his brain scans that were done last week.
'He is improving but slowly. ' the doctor said.
'Doctor, Is there anything that can be done quicker...I mean, anything more that we can do to help him recover quickly?" Arnav enquired.
"As far as medication goes, Mr Raizada, he is on the right treatment. In addition he needs intensive physical therapy. He has been getting some here and has been making slow progress. So, at this stage, his recovery looks promising. But only time can tell for sure" the doctor explained.
Arnav thanked the doctor and wheeled Babuji along with Payal to the basement floor of the hospital where the rehab classes were held.
The physiotherapist greeted Babuji and Payal and showed them in. Arnav watched as she helped uncle stand up and walk him gradually. He could see that uncle was making an effort to follow her instructions.
It was a sunny day, Arnav observed as he watched out through the large windows. The place was spacious, he noticed. He looked around the rehab unit and it's limited equipment. Is this the best place for his treatment, Arnav wondered.
He noticed Shashi slipping as she tried to get him to take a step further. Arnav quickly caught hold of him and steadied him upright. He held Shashi in his strong arms partially supporting his weight while walking him according to the Physiotherapist's instructions.
Khushi was shocked at what she saw.
Was that Arnav Singh Raizada? She flipped her eyes open and close multiple times in disbelief. 'What was he doing here?' she thought. Although the answer seemed obvious as she saw him helping her Babuji at the rehab class, she was utterly shocked.
"Jiji? How come Arnavji is here?" asked a surprised Khushi to Payal who was standing by the side watching her Babuji walk with Arnavji's help.
"What are YOU doing here? I thought you were going to the parlour with Preethi?" asked Payal surprised to see Khushi.
" I did, Di. We were done and so I decided to join you and Babuji at the rehab unit. I didn't know Arnavji was with you" Khushi explained.
"He offered to join us Khushi, just as I was about to leave. He is very kind" Payal replied looking at Arnav. She admired how patient he was with her father.
Khushi was speechless to say the least. She had not expected this of Arnav Singh Raizada.
Khushi was glad she had stayed back for the wedding. Preethi would soon leave the country once Karan sends her the spouse visa. And who knows when she would meet her again? She thought as she lay in bed the next morning. Everyone had attended the wedding except Arnav and Babuji. Khushi was surprised when Arnav had volunteered to look after Babuji so that the Gupta Ladies could attend the wedding without much problems. This man is full of surprises, She thought. She wasn't sure if she knew him anymore.
She didn't want to wake up from bed today...She knew she would have to pack to leave for Delhi very soon. She hated leaving her home. She hated saying good bye to her family. She missed them terribly in Delhi. Why is it always so hard? she grumbled as she finally woke up.
She started packing her suitcase after freshening up. She couldn't help the tears that had welled up in her eyes and were threatening to flow. As she looked around, She noticed that Arnav's suitcase was neatly placed on the side of the door all ready to be picked up.
"Of course! He must be dying to get back" she thought in annoyance.
Khushi knew her family had stayed away from her that morning so that she could do her packing in peace. They perhaps are sitting and crying in Babuji's room, Khushi smiled softly amidst her tears knowing her family way too well. She knew how much they loved her and missed her.
Khushi zipped her packed suitcase now and put it next to Arnav's on the floor. She moved her suitcase away slightly to make sure there was a distance between the two...just like it was with them.
There was no one except Arnav in the living room, Khushi noticed as she walked past. She wasn't surprised. She walked into her Babuji's room, and as she had expected the whole family was there. But what shocked Khushi was that they seemed happy...in fact very happy...her Amma was grinning from one cheek to the other.
"Khushi, Tu aagayi? Tu ne apni packing kar li kya?" (Khushi, You have come? Have you finished your packing?) quizzed Buaji smiling at her.
Why do they all look so happy? Surely even if they were happy that she was leaving, they could at least pretend to be unhappy until she left, Khushi sighed in disbelief.
"Aap log humare jaane se itne khush hain?" (You guys are so happy as I am leaving?) she couldn't help asking.
"Nahin, Pagli. " (No, Crazy girl) Amma came forward and patted her on the head slightly. " Arnav bitwa ne tumhe bataya nahin?" (Hasn't Arnav Bitwa told you?) she enquired.
Khushi looked around in bewilderment. Even her Babuji had a crooked smile on his face. What on earth was happening? What was Arnav supposed to have told her? Were they not returning today ? Why didn't they tell her before she packed? she wondered.
"Amma, Batayiye na" (Amma, Please tell me) Khushi pleaded. Whatever the happy surprise was she wanted to know straight away.
"Khushi, Arnavji has organised for all of us to shift to Delhi in the next 2 weeks. He has found out that Babuji would receive better treatment at Delhi and has organised everything. Now we all won't be separated, Pagal. We are moving into your city" explained a delighted Payal.
"Kya, Arnavji????" (What? Arnavji???) Khushi said shocked. She didn't understand . Arnavji had organised for her family to move to Delhi. What was happening here?
"Lekin Jiji. How will you all move leaving Lucknow? Where would you stay? And what about our friends at Lucknow?" Khushi found herself asking. The news was indeed too much for her to take.
"Titaliya, Shashi babua ki ilaaj Dilli mein aur bhi achhe se hoga. Arnav bitwa ne bade bade doctor log se baat kar ke intezaam kiya hai. Isliye hum maangaye"( Titaliya, Shashi Babua will get much better treatment at Delhi. Arnav Bitwa has consulted many good doctors there and has organised everything. That is why we agreed) Buaji explained.
"Khushi, Arnavji has organised for a home that we could rent at Delhi...He had found one initially in the same street as yours but we refused. That would have been too expensive and beyond our means. He insisted to pay everything himself but we told him that we were happy enough with all the help he was providing ...organising a house, helping with the move, getting Babuji's treatment organised etc...So, on our insistence he has found a house in Laxmi Nagar where we will all move." explained Amma.
"And Titaliya, I had stayed at Laxmi Nagar 5 years ago before I moved to Lucknow. It is a friendly locality with helpful people around. We should be able to settle in there easily" added Buaji sensing Khushi's apprehension.
Khushi was delighted that her family were moving to Delhi...which meant she could see them almost every other day ...she could look after them...be there for them when they needed her support...But she couldn't explain a strange uneasiness she felt within at the same time. Her tears gushed out as she hugged them and bid them good bye for now.
'What is he doing? Why is he doing all this?' She found herself asking in her thoughts. Although she was very happy with her parents moving to Delhi, she didn't quite understand what made Arnav do all this for them...for her. He had made it quite clear time and again that he had no intention to remain married...they had decided that they would break up after Jiji's wedding. Then now, what was he trying to do? Khushi thought as she closed her eyes, seated in the business class of Air India.
'Why was he being so kind to her family and her? What was the whole point? Her Father perhaps would receive better treatment in Delhi , but why was he doing all of this for them?' Khushi couldn't help worrying.
Arnav was glad to be back home. He had so much to catch up at work as he had been away for more days than he had originally intended. Akash had been running the show in his absence and Arnav immensely trusted Akash and his abilities. Arnav was more closer to Akash who was only 2 years younger to him than NK. NK still had a lot of growing up to do, he felt.
Arnav decided against going to the office as it was quite late. He could catch up with Akash at night and get himself updated, he decided. He had been constantly in touch with him when he was in Lucknow, anyways.
Arnav walked down the stairs after freshening up. A cold shower always fixed the fatigue he felt after a trip. [YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_oVOhPAiIk[/YOUTUBE]
The Raizada family were pleasantly surprised at what they saw. Surely Lucknow had done him good, thought Anjali. Looks like he finally is letting things of the past go, she smiled at her brother as he walked by.
Arnav informed his family at tea about the Gupta's move to Delhi. Everyone at the Raizada house were pleased with the news and commended Arnav for making the right decision. Khushi was conspicuously silent, Arnav observed.
Arnav walked up the stairs when he caught up with Mami on the corridor.
"Mami, what was Lavanya doing at our place this afternoon?" He asked. He had been surprised to see her earlier.
"Oh Bitwa, We invited her" Mami informed.
"But why?" He asked. Surely Mami and Nani had not invited an AR employee home to discuss business, he thought.
"Aise hi, bitwa. Now that you are married we need to start looking for Akash too", Mami winked at Arnav.
"Lekin Mami, Lavanya for Akash?" asked a surprised Arnav. "Does Akash know anything about this?"
Arnav knew Akash's thoughts on marriage. Though the brothers were complete opposite in many ways, they knew each other well and respected each other.
"Arnav Bitwa...you know how Akash is. I want him to find a girl himself but he is not interested. " complained Mami.
"I know, Mami. But speak to Akash first before deciding anything." he said as he walked away. He knew Akash too well to know Lavanya was not his type.
Arnav had not spoken to Khushi since they left Lucknow. She had remained unusually silent even during their journey, he had noticed. He had noticed a tear drop at the side of her eyes in the plane when she had rested. She perhaps is missing her family a lot, he thought. Aman had called him a few minutes ago wanting to know Babuji's date of birth...The centre where he would be getting treatment from, had wanted to know these details. Should I call Aunty and ask, Arnav wondered. He looked around to see if Khushi was around in the room. He could ask her. She would know, he decided. As he looked around, she was nowhere to be seen in the room or by the pool. He was almost about to leave the pool side when he heard the silent sobs. He walked around to find her seated on the stairs well hidden from everyone sobbing her eyes out.
"Khushi?" Arnav asked in concern..."Tum theek ho?"
Khushi continued to sob silently ignoring him. 'How could he ask her such a silly question, Did she look alright?' She thought. 'But then why wouldn't he ask silly questions?...After all he was responsible for how she felt, Khushi continued to cry.
"Khushi?" he asked again, worried.
She looked up at him this time. Her eyes were blood shot and he had never seen her so angry before, he paled at the sight.
"Khushi, don't be upset. Your parents will be in Delhi in the next 2 weeks. I am trying to organise everything as soon as possible. " Arnav consoled her. Her tears were killing him.
"WHY?" she spat out.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you doing all this? Why are you shifting them to Delhi?" She yelled out. She could no longer control herself.
"Your father will get better treatment at Delhi, Khushi. I have spoken to the doctors here. And besides, they will be closer to you too" Arnav explained. He didn't understand why she was furious. He had only meant well.
"Why do you care about him? Why do you care about my family or me? Why? " She shouted at him standing up, frustrated. "Didn't you tell me time and again that you don't believe in marriage? Then why are you doing all this? What are you trying to achieve? Why are you so heartless?" She continued until she could speak no more.
"Heartless?" He said out shocked. How can she say that? He grew angry. "I am trying to help here, Khushi and you are accusing me of being heartless"
"Yes, Mr Raizada that's what you are. How do you plan on explaining to my family when we break up? And my living in Delhi is temporary as it is and now you are moving them here? Don't you see, how impossible this sounds?" She yelled at him and stormed out into their room.
Arnav stood there speechless. He had done all this to make her happy and here she was furious. What's wrong with this girl? Why can't she appreciate anything I do? he cursed under his breath. He wasn't done talking but she had walked away as usual. That made him even more angry. He walked back to the bedroom in the direction Khushi had gone. But she was nowhere to be seen. This girl will drive me nuts, he fumed as he rushed down the stairs.
"Di, Aap ne Khushi ko dekha?" (Di, Have you seen Khushi?) Arnav asked his sister.
"Haan, Chote. She just went outside. I tried asking her where she was going but she was in a hurry and she didn't say much except that she will return in a bit" Anjali explained.
Arnav's anger knew no bounds. How could she walk out on him in the middle of their conversation, if one could call it that? Why is this girl so difficult?
And of course, She won't pick her phone, he fumed after trying a couple of times. He walked out of the house in anger, into his SUV and drove along in an attempt to find her.
After an hour of driving around, he was more frustrated but also quite worried. He had never seen her sobbing like that before. And Khushi had never left home like this ever before when they had fought. He called his home again to check if she had returned.
"Chote, Is everything alright?" Anjali asked, after informing him that Khushi had not returned home.
When Khushuji had left some time ago in a hurry, Anjali had not given it much thought as she thought Khushi was perhaps going to meet someone related to her work. But with Arnav calling every few minutes to check if Khushi had returned, Anjali began to worry if there was more to all of this. 'Have they had a fight? Why does his brother appear so worried?' she thought
"Khushi! Where the hell are you?" he shouted...Suddenly it occurred to him...Temple! She had always believed in God...always sought DM's help when she was in trouble, he had observed. Arnav quickly drove to the nearest temple and just as he had expected, she was sitting there in a corner sobbing. He was relieved to see her safe and sound. He walked up to her as fast as he could.
"Khushi, Why did you leave the house without telling anyone ?" he questioned her angrily
Khushi looked at him surprised. She had wanted to be alone...to cry alone. 'Why did he always come at the wrong place and the wrong time?' she thought
"KHUSHI! ANSWER ME, DAMMIT" Arnav couldn't control himself any longer.
"MY WISH, ARNAVJI. I WILL DO AS I PLEASE" She shouted back in anger. How dare he come and question her like this in front of everyone! She thought.
"Khushi, Don't talk to me like that" he warned her. By now people had collected around them and were watching them.
"Come home now. We can talk at home" he said not wanting to create a scene in the temple in front of everyone. They had things to discuss but this is not the place, he realised.
"I am not coming anywhere with you" she yelled back.
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrwQBEAC88Y[/YOUTUBE]
Very very eagerly waiting to hear your thoughts on the update.š The more you write, the happier you make me. I am also open to suggestions and criticism at every stage.
Guys, I am considering updating once a week from now on: On Saturdays. I promise to give you longer updates however.
I am doing this inorder to find a better balance with my real life commitments. Hope you understand and don't mind.
If you would like to read my previous fiction, here is my index- My Arhi stories
The credit for the videos belongs to the makers and actors and everyone involved with IPKKND. My story is inspired from theirs.
Thread 4 -Part 20 onwards
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Indian Mythology
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